...a Russian lawyer involved in the affair said a swap was discussed and a U.S. official said Washington might allow the suspected spies to plead guilty and then return to Russia in exchange for the release of certain Russian prisoners.
"It's a common practice. It's been done numerous times," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters.
All 10 suspects in U.S. custody are to be arraigned on Thursday before U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood.
Quick guilty pleas would avoid lengthy trials that officials fear may undercut improving U.S.-Russia relations. The two countries are cooperating on Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization, the global standoff over Iran's nuclear program and other issues.
The Russian lawyer said the proposed plan includes exchanging Russian nuclear expert Igor Sutyagin, who was sentenced to 15 years in jail in 2004 for passing classified military information to a British firm which prosecutors said was a front for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
"They want to exchange Sutyagin for one of those arrested in the United States for spying," Anna Stavitskaya, a lawyer acting for Sutyagin, told Reuters.
"It is a one-for-one exchange. So each of those detained in the United States will be swapped for one person from Russia."
By: Brant
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